High Risk Work Licence - Portal Boom Crane (CP) exam-day guide
High Risk Work Licence - Portal Boom Crane (CP) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the original ID your booking was made under (typically a current driver licence or passport). Confirm with the provider which forms of ID it accepts and whether a digital licence is accepted; if unsure, bring a physical card.
Assessment booking confirmation and paperwork
Print or download the booking confirmation, and complete any pre-assessment forms or declarations the provider sent you. Confirm with the provider whether anything must be signed and returned in advance.
Unique Student Identifier (USI), if required
For nationally recognised training in Australia, a USI is generally needed before a statement of attainment can be issued. Confirm with the provider whether you must supply it before test day and check your USI is verified.
Safety boots and work clothing
Wear steel-capped boots and site-appropriate clothing. Ask the provider whether high-visibility clothing, gloves, a hard hat, or safety glasses are required or supplied on the day.
Knowledge of the crane you will be assessed on
Ask the provider which crane type, configuration, and controls the practical assessment uses, and whether the controls are joystick or lever. Read the relevant operator manual or load chart if the provider makes it available.
Load chart, tag lines, and hand signals refreshed
Revise reading the load chart, calculating derated capacity, and standard hand signals. Practise these until you can apply them without hesitation, because assessors watch for correct decisions under time pressure.
Pre-start inspection routine rehearsed
Practise a systematic walk-around and pre-start check: logbook, tyres and outriggers, wire rope and sheaves, hook and latch, brakes, warning devices, and load indicators. Say your checks aloud in a logical order.
Personal medication, water, and food
Bring any medication you may need, water, and a snack. Confirm with the provider whether there are scheduled breaks and where you can leave personal items during the assessment.
Arrive early with time to spare
Plan to arrive with enough margin to sign in, present ID, and complete a site induction without rushing. Confirm with the provider the exact arrival time and site access or parking arrangements.
Clear understanding of the assessment conditions
Before booking, ask the provider how the practical is structured, whether the knowledge component is written or verbal, what happens if you fail a element, and what retest or reassessment options and fees apply.
Plan the day
Confirm your booking, arrival time, site address, and what to bring by contacting the provider. Re-read the load chart and operator manual for the crane you will use. Rehearse the pre-start inspection and hand signals aloud. Sleep well for the two nights before; fatigue is a real risk around cranes.
Pack ID, confirmation, boots, clothing, water, and snacks the night before. Review your weak points: slinging and lifting calculations, communication with the dogger or rigger, and shutdown procedure. Avoid learning anything new; consolidate what you already know.
Eat properly, arrive early, and present ID at sign-in. Listen carefully to the assessor's briefing and ask clarifying questions before starting. Complete any site induction, then do your pre-start inspection methodically and state each check as you make it.
Work steadily rather than fast. Follow the planned lift sequence: assess the load, check capacity against the load chart, confirm communications, lift and place smoothly, and shut down correctly. If you make an error, stop safely, acknowledge it, and correct it rather than rushing to recover.
Rules to check
Follow all site safety rules and the assessor's instructions at all times. The assessor may stop the assessment if you act unsafely, and this can affect your result.
Present the original photo identification the booking was made under. If you cannot produce acceptable ID, you may be refused entry; confirm with the provider what is accepted before the day.
Mobile phones and other devices should be silenced and stored unless the provider says otherwise. Confirm the provider's policy on recording or photographing the assessment area.
If you need a break, ask the assessor. Never leave the crane unattended in an unsafe state; follow the shutdown and park procedure before stepping away.
Scoring is based on the assessment criteria for the licence class, including knowledge and practical performance. Ask the provider in advance how each component is marked and what constitutes a fail.
Disclose any medical condition, medication, or injury that could affect your ability to operate the crane safely. Confirm with the provider how such disclosures are handled before the assessment.
If you do not understand an instruction, ask for clarification before acting. Guessing at a signal or instruction is itself a safety error in crane operations.
Confirm with the provider the policy on reassessment, appeals, and fees if you do not meet the standard, and keep any result documentation you receive.